CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-22 23:22:45 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Great inside look at the career of Tumblr founder David Karp, from intern to developer to entrepreneur.

2013-05-22 21:42:32 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Awesome Kickstarter campaign by Public Lab to create cheap $35 infrared cameras for farmers, environment watchers: 

http://www.pbs.org/idealab/2013/05/want-an-affordable-infrared-camera-give-to-public-labs-infragram-project-on-kickstarter141.html

2013-05-22 20:10:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Do you want to get your news tailored for mobile devices and sharing? That's what startup NowThis News is doing with video news segments it produces daily.

2013-05-21 18:02:50 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Should freelance journalists try crowdfunding on sites such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter? Here are some success stories, tips and warnings.

2013-05-20 21:59:20 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Poderopedia shows the power relationships for elite in Chile. Now it's even better with new features.

2013-05-20 22:48:00 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Fascinating Q&A with former Washington Post reporter +Jose Antonio Vargas, who talks about how he's using social media to push for immigration reform -- and change the terminology too.

2013-05-17 18:57:58 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Check out this week's podcast, with three special guests: CNET's +Declan McCullagh  (talking about the DOJ and AP), NY Times' +Brian Stelter (talking about the future of broadcast TV) and KQED's Joshua Johnson (defending the future of AM/FM radio). Plus +Andrew Lih  and +Ana Marie Cox. Fantastic show!

http://youtu.be/DhZjYIdF0kQ

2013-05-16 18:30:51 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

A national Digital Public Library? What do you think about this idea, which is now a reality?

2013-05-16 01:01:07 (19 comments, 1 reshares, 11 +1s)

The new Google+ triple column layout makes my head spin. Am I the only one who went back to the single column look?

2013-05-15 19:05:51 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Great roundup of events and reactions in social media to the news that the Feds secretly obtained phone records of AP reporters.

2013-05-14 17:59:11 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Are you the kind of person whose political activism consists of "likes" on Facebook, +1's on Google+, and changing your profile pic? You are not alone, according to a new Pew survey.

2013-05-13 21:41:07 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

Why do cats dominate the Internet, memes and YouTube while dogs play second fiddle? We investigate this important question of our time.

2013-05-13 16:48:20 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Our new MediaShift e-books are now available in Nook/B&N flavors! 

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/e-books

2013-05-10 23:27:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Interesting podcast today on the FBI and DOJ snooping on our emails, as well as +Henry Jenkins' new book "Spreadable Media."

Mediatwits #79: FBI Reads Emails Without Warrants; Henry Jenkins on 'Spreadable Media'

2013-05-10 20:19:07 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Sorry to see this sad news about layoffs and funding problems at CJR:

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/media/2013/05/8529901/tough-times-columbia-journalism-review-editor-departs-others-are-laid-

2013-05-10 00:56:53 (0 comments, 5 reshares, 3 +1s)

I'm excited about the launch of MediaShift's first e-books, in partnership with +PBS!

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/e-books

2013-05-09 21:22:21 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

My interview with Twitter's Mark Luckie, who says Twitter has no ambitions to start a news operation or even a curation operation. He also gives tips on how news orgs can build a following.

2013-05-08 19:01:07 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 2 +1s)

Why bother holding press conferences, when politicians can go directly to the people online and on social media?

2013-05-07 21:02:27 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

We wanted to let you know the status of our last Mediatwits #78 podcast, which was never recorded during a Google Hangout on Air last Friday.

After speaking with representatives at Google+, we found out that the technical issues with this podcast were likely related to an upgrade of Google Hangouts on Air at the time of our recording. Google+ reps apologized for the tech issues and promised to provide better communication so that we don't lose another podcast recording in the future. 

Again, we apologize to our audience and our guests for this technical problem, and hope you'll continue to watch each week. 

2013-05-07 20:11:09 (3 comments, 7 reshares, 5 +1s)

We've published our first PBS MediaShift e-book, "Your Guide to Cutting the Cord to Cable TV (Updated 2013 Edition)," by yours truly:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLYRO52/?tag=p0f9a5-20

2013-05-07 19:40:36 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Where are media startups coming from? Surprisingly, perhaps, from journalism schools.

2013-05-07 18:28:09 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

"Great Gatsby" makes a comeback on this week's Top 10 E-Books Bestseller List: 

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/05/this-weeks-top-10-e-book-best-sellers-week-ending-5513

2013-05-06 17:57:42 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

Washington DC actually owned the copyright on its own laws? That is truly bizarre.

2013-05-06 17:48:28 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

Great roundup of tips for how journalists can better use Facebook, by +Vadim Lavrusik.

2013-05-03 21:50:51 (0 comments, 4 reshares, 9 +1s)

Today is World Press Freedom Day. Here's why you should care:

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/05/why-we-still-need-world-press-freedom-day

2013-05-02 18:33:45 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Just got a Facebook user survey with this interesting question:

What percentage of Facebook's engineering resources do you think are dedicated to increasing revenue (versus developing new products and improving on existing products for our users)?

I answered "80 to 100%." What do you think?

2013-05-01 21:58:16 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Interesting "Storyscapes" interactive projects at Tribeca Film Festival put viewers into the transmedia stories:

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/05/digital-storytelling-up-close-in-person114

2013-04-26 17:00:35 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

Watch today's Mediatwits podcast live at 10:30 am PT with special guest Emily Steel from the Financial Times. Topics include Twitter's massive ad deal and lessons from the Boston manhunt and how it played out online.

http://youtu.be/3PXg4XZTAH4

2013-04-25 22:40:35 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

I love BetaBrand. They make online shopping fun -- and funny!

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/04/how-betabrand-creates-the-most-engaging-content-in-online-retail115.html

2013-04-24 01:17:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Great photos from our recent Texas Tribune / MediaShift Mixer to kick off the ISOJ conference!

http://on.fb.me/17PSby7

2013-04-23 00:44:36 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 2 +1s)

How to Get Social Media Platforms to Support Private Speech

http://www.pbs.org/idealab/2013/04/how-to-get-social-media-platforms-to-support-private-speech105.html

2013-04-22 19:50:51 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Did you miss the ISOJ conference in Austin? Here's a fantastic recap:

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/04/isoj-2013-how-news-organizations-can-adapt-to-digital-disruption112.html

2013-04-21 19:37:28 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

"In recent decades, we've put ourselves in a bind by creating news cycles that are faster and faster and faster. And speed is often the scourge of accuracy." -Andy Carvin

Read his entire ISOJ speech here, about how we need a more informed public:

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/04/isoj-keynote-can-social-media-help-us-create-a-more-informed-public111.html

2013-04-21 16:44:12 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Poll: When news breaks, who do you trust for accurate info?

Newspaper websites  31.78%  (34 votes)
Friends on social media  7.48%  (8 votes)
Cable news  4.67%  (5 votes)
Broadcast news  6.54%  (7 votes)
Eyewitnesses  0.93%  (1 votes)
Radio  9.35%  (10 votes)
None of the above  14.02%  (15 votes)
Other:  25.23%  (27 votes)
 
Total Votes: 107

Vote here: http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/04/poll-when-news-breaks-who-do-you-trust-for-accurate-info108.html

2013-04-19 21:57:04 (3 comments, 4 reshares, 5 +1s)

When Following Breaking News, Why It Helps to Think Like a Journalist

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/04/when-following-breaking-news-why-it-helps-to-think-like-a-journalist109.html

2013-04-19 20:01:57 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

Great Mediatwits podcast today with lengthy discussion about social media response to the Boston bombings and major media mistakes, with special guest +Gabriel Florit of the Boston Globe. #watertown  

http://youtu.be/IQXI2naH0PU

2013-04-18 16:49:30 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

This week's podcast will include a detailed discussion about the Boston Marathon bombings and how they've been covered online, how news broke in social media and how people reached out to help. Our special guest is Gabriel Florit, who does data visualization for the Boston Globe and helped respond to cover the bombings. We also have regulars +Mark Glaser +Monica Guzman +Ana Marie Cox +Andrew Lih and +Felix Salmon. We'll also be discussing the Pulitzer Prize win by InsideClimate and the rise of mobile advertising and mobile use by teens.

2013-04-18 15:52:50 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

More and more brands are creating their own content, blogs, videos, etc. and bypassing the usual PR route. Have you found brand-created content you actually liked?

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/04/content-marketing-rises-but-will-it-hurt-paid-ads108.html

2013-04-17 18:47:00 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Is CNN honcho Jeff Zucker considering sponsored content on CNN's website? "Absolutely." 

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/04/cnns-jeff-zucker-talks-social-media-considers-native-ads107.html

2013-04-16 23:43:20 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Am I the only one who sees literally every possible sexual organ in the Bally's "B" in its logo? I guess it's more than just fitness.

2013-04-16 19:49:33 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 6 +1s)

YouTube set up a special spotlight page for videos (official and citizen-shot) for the Boston bombings: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbpi6ZahtOH5T_nrvCoHfnYWbW1shGYYv

2013-04-16 05:18:11 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Today was an interesting lesson in tone and relevance on social media. When the bombings happened in Boston today, our Twitter feeds were filled with promos that had been scheduled for other stories on our site, and for our upcoming Mixer and for stories on other sites we like. It didn't sound right to read those promos amongside tweets about the growing tragedy in Boston.

I told Julie Keck our fantastic social media editor to pause all our promos on those feeds so we could concentrate on linking to the best coverage and relief efforts online. This is something we should always consider and I'm surprised it's only coming up now. I hope we're not the only one making this calculus and deciding what's right for our audience is what's right for us to do. What do you think? 

2013-04-15 22:45:20 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

Question for you

What should have been a joyful day for 26,000 people running the #BostonMarathon  turned out to be a tragic day for them and their loved ones. Casualty reports are still coming in. 

As I pay attention to what's happening on Google+ and Twitter, one topic keeps coming into play:

Should companies STOP posting on social media during a tragedy?"

Some people get very upset that companies would "have the indecency to post" while the world is paying attention to a terrorist attack (whether or not it's foreign or domestic is still to be determined by the way). Often, companies have auto-tweets scheduled that get released at an unfortunate time. They can often seem uncaring or inappropriate. But auto-tweeting is necessary for businesses on social media under normal circumstances. 

The question is:<... more »

2013-04-15 22:33:57 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Fox 25 live TV news feed from Boston after marathon bombing:

http://live.foxnews.com/#/1155606221001

2013-04-15 22:21:48 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Very intense live-blog from Boston.com on bombings there:

http://live.boston.com/Event/Live_blog_Explosion_in_Copley_Square

2013-04-15 18:20:09 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 2 +1s)

Can "shelter-in-place" help San Franciscans after an earthquake? Here's more info:

http://www.pbs.org/idealab/2013/04/san-francisco-a-city-that-knows-its-faults102.html

2013-04-12 19:16:35 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

"The cat has answered your question, but I'll use words instead of crashes." -Cass Sunstein

http://youtu.be/5f0CdErXzMY?t=18m1s

2013-04-12 18:39:32 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

NowThis News is looking to hire a Deputy News Editor:

http://www.nowthisnews.com/info/deputy_news_editor

2013-04-12 16:45:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Watch the Mediatwits podcast live at 10:30 am PT / 1:30 pm ET today! Fox barks at Aereo, Tumblr lays off their Storyboard staff, and Obama insider Cass Sunstein talks "Simpler" government on today's Mediatwits podcast: 

http://to.pbs.org/122tVsC

2013-04-11 16:21:28 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Broadway theaters are torn about the Vine app and people videotaping productions. Is it a copyright violation or a hip new way to promote the show?

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/04/6-seconds-on-broadway-how-vine-could-revolutionize-theater-promotion101.html